BROOKINGS – A candidate running for Brookings City Council says his being sentenced for having an invalid license was just a technicality.
Isaiah James Croatt, 19, was sentenced on March 6 for having an altered or invalid license in possession. He was fined $500, and 30 days in the Brookings County Detention Center were all suspended upon conditions imposed by the court.
According to police reports, around 6:45 p.m. Feb. 9, Croatt used fake identification to attempt to purchase a six-pack of Redd’s Apple Ale beer from Newman’s Ampride. The clerk called the police when she suspected that it was a fake ID. Croatt left without the beer, and police contacted him later.
When contacted Wednesday by the Register, Croatt claimed he and a group were setting up for a launch party on Feb. 9 to mark his run for council.
“Unfortunately, my campaign manager wasn’t there,” Croatt said. “My campaign manager is of age.”
Instead, Croatt went to pick up the beer.
“I used to be from Minnesota, but I live in South Dakota now, and the only (identification) I had on me when I was checked was my Minnesota ID, which is invalid,” Croatt said. “Because I’m living here, it’s no longer a valid license.
“To clarify, I didn't receive any charges related to alcohol because I attempted to set up a purchase for an event rather than buy it for myself. Given that I am not of age, the police did get involved; however, the situation was clarified and the only thing I was charged with was having an invalid ID for still having my Minnesota license, which happens to be a Class 1 misdemeanor.”
“I paid my fines and cleared everything up,” Croatt said.
Court records show that Croatt was initially charged with possession of alcohol by a minor, a Class 2 misdemeanor, but the charge was later dismissed.
The police report also alleges that the Minnesota ID Croatt presented to the gas station clerk with his name and photo on it included an incorrect date of birth claiming he was 21 years old.
The same police report says that Croatt told the arresting officer he “knew a lot of other people who were doing it” and that he just “fell into it” and “messed up.”
